enJOY it is a craft and lifestyle blog from Elise Blaha Cripe. DIY projects, simple recipes, backyard garden updates and many rambles on goal-setting and running a small business.

sewing a top and other musings.

So, it's quite likely that a few of you are going to read this and think "WTF, Elise. How do you have time to sew a top?" And the answer to that is, "I am not sure that I do."

But something I have learned over the past months and years of making a career out of making stuff is that sometimes to clear the noise and refocus you have to totally shift gears. And last week, when my to-do list was filled with eCourses to write and podcasts to launch and email to catch up on, I did that. I took precious baby nap time and precious nanny time to sew up a white linen top.

WHY DID I DO THIS?

Because when something fills you up, it's a creative tool, not procrastination.

Because on Monday I took the baby to the fabric store and we touched all the fabrics looking for something that will be ideal for a MAKE29 project idea I am currently entertaining. I bought three yards of white linen to see if it would work for what I have planned (it doesn't).

Because three yards is a lot of white linen, I thought to myself, "Elise! Make a shirt! Your style board is filled with white shirts!" Overwhelmed at the idea of finding a new pattern, I got out my trusty Tova from Wiksten and went through it for the fourth time (here is time 1, time 2 and time 3 - sidenote! It's so funny/awkward to look back on baby Elise in those old posts. She has no idea how busy her life is going to get!).

Because this pattern is so insanely well written and each time I marvel over that. I also struggle with the collar every. single. time. (this time it took three tries to get it right). Whenever I sew something wearable I am reminded that handmade clothing is worth every single penny and then some. It's intense to try and get this stuff to look right, let alone create a pattern from scratch.

I put on my new top and my favorite old pants and I went outside to snap some photos. When I saw them on my computer I was reminded that this is totally my "look." I have learned over the past year that nuetrals - gray, tan, white, navy, chambray and olive/army green - are my absolute favorite. I have no reason ever to step out of this box because these are the clothes I reach for again. I don't want a closet full of crap that looks good "in theory" but I never wear. I want a closet full of go-tos. Neutrals are my sweet spot and I REALLY need to stop buying everything else.

And when I am feeling overwhelmed, I need to turn on old episodes of Parks and Rec and sew a shirt.

Comments

So, it's quite likely that a few of you are going to read this and think "WTF, Elise. How do you have time to sew a top?" And the answer to that is, "I am not sure that I do."

But something I have learned over the past months and years of making a career out of making stuff is that sometimes to clear the noise and refocus you have to totally shift gears. And last week, when my to-do list was filled with eCourses to write and podcasts to launch and email to catch up on, I did that. I took precious baby nap time and precious nanny time to sew up a white linen top.

WHY DID I DO THIS?

Because when something fills you up, it's a creative tool, not procrastination.

Because on Monday I took the baby to the fabric store and we touched all the fabrics looking for something that will be ideal for a MAKE29 project idea I am currently entertaining. I bought three yards of white linen to see if it would work for what I have planned (it doesn't).

Because three yards is a lot of white linen, I thought to myself, "Elise! Make a shirt! Your style board is filled with white shirts!" Overwhelmed at the idea of finding a new pattern, I got out my trusty Tova from Wiksten and went through it for the fourth time (here is time 1, time 2 and time 3 - sidenote! It's so funny/awkward to look back on baby Elise in those old posts. She has no idea how busy her life is going to get!).

Because this pattern is so insanely well written and each time I marvel over that. I also struggle with the collar every. single. time. (this time it took three tries to get it right). Whenever I sew something wearable I am reminded that handmade clothing is worth every single penny and then some. It's intense to try and get this stuff to look right, let alone create a pattern from scratch.

I put on my new top and my favorite old pants and I went outside to snap some photos. When I saw them on my computer I was reminded that this is totally my "look." I have learned over the past year that nuetrals - gray, tan, white, navy, chambray and olive/army green - are my absolute favorite. I have no reason ever to step out of this box because these are the clothes I reach for again. I don't want a closet full of crap that looks good "in theory" but I never wear. I want a closet full of go-tos. Neutrals are my sweet spot and I REALLY need to stop buying everything else.

And when I am feeling overwhelmed, I need to turn on old episodes of Parks and Rec and sew a shirt.

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